The service on Sunday was led by the Rev. Sheila Pollard. Her theme for worship was 'Gifts and Talents'.

"What are the gifts and talents God has given you?" she asked. "There are highly visible ones and there are the behind-the-scenes ones. Both equally important and necessary as we undertake God's work, we need the contribution that each person has been gifted with by God if we are to live the life we're called to as Christ's disciples and as a church congregation.

"So let us all willingly and enthusiastically offer our gifts to our Lord and his church. We must not let fear of inadequacy, that we are not as talented as others, or fear of being rebuffed, paralyse us into inactivity and allow us to deny our gifts. God loves us as we are and has a mission for each one of us."

For her talk to the young people, Sheila had brought various ingredients, including spices, flour, raw eggs, cold tea - each one on its own very limited, but mixed together, the end result, a delicious cake, bara brith.

"There is no limit what we can do if we join together," she told them. "Together a great 'dish' may be made."

As usual, worship had been opened by the singing group, this week accompanied by Mr. Alan Adams. Molly read the young people's welcome.

The congregational reading was Psalm 111.

After the children had left for their own classes, Mrs. Bron Hurlow read from John chapter 15, verses 1-17, and Romans chapter 12, verses 3-21.

To conclude worship, the Grace was shared and the blessing, 'Go in the strength of the Lord', was sung by the singing group.

Thank you, Sheila, for your message that we each have gifts and talents, to claim our gifts, open them up and celebrate them. Then to use them, not holding back, but offering them freely and dedicating them wholeheartedly to God's service.

In the past few weeks, the young people have been using their talents, both individually and collectively, to prepare for this week's service, which will be a celebratory family service led by a worship group. The theme of the service will be 'Focusing on the spirit' and will begin at the usual time of 11 am, to be followed by a shared lunch. Everyone is welcome, there is always plenty of food, so please join us at St. Johns as we celebrate Pentecost.